Koivu, Latendresse, Zanon questionable for Vancouver

The Wild could be short-handed Saturday afternoon against the Vancouver Canucks. Mikko Koivu, Guillaume Latendresse, and Greg Zanon are questionable for the game. Koivu needed ten stitches after taking a skate to the chin Thursday against Edmonton.

The Wild could be short-handed Saturday afternoon against the Vancouver Canucks. Mikko Koivu, Guillaume Latendresse, and Greg Zanon are questionable for the game. Koivu needed ten stitches after taking a skate to the chin Thursday against Edmonton.

Wild forward Guillaume Latendresse was back at practice Wednesday after missing one game and three practices because of a groin injury. He'll be available for Mike Yeo to insert into the lineup Thursday against Anaheim.

It's been more than three years since Kurtis Foster broke his femur bone as a member of the Wild. Foster and Wild captain Mikko Koivu became great friends playing together in Minnesota, and now Koivu's older brother, Saku, is Foster's teammate in Anaheim.

Wild coach Mike Yeo tells the Star Tribune he’ll keep Mikko Koivu out of the lineup tonight in Columbus. Koivu is recovering from a shoulder injury. Yeo says Koivu is “very close” to returning, but no quite yet. His return might come as early as Thursday’s game against Vancouver.

The first place Minnesota Wild is getting healthier. Cal Clutterbuck, who missed the last two games with a thigh contusion, is expected to skate on the top line with Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley Tuesday against Winnipeg. Guillaume Latendresse, Justin Falk, Marek Zidlicky, and Josh Harding all returned to practice as well.

After missing 32 of the last 34 games with a concussion, Guillaume Latendresse has returned to practice with the Wild. The Star Tribune reports Latendresse skated with Mikko Koivu today, who is out with a shoulder injury. The Wild start the second half of the NHL season tomorrow night, hosting Nashville.

The Minnesota Wild lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-2 Thursday night. Guillaume Latendresse and Mikko Koivu scored for the Wild, who fell to 3-3 in preseason play. Minnesota closes out the exhibition schedule Friday night when they host Edmonton.

Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher confirmed to the Star Tribune that Mikko Koivu will miss the NHL All-Star game because of his shoulder injury. Koivu will be replaced on the roster by Edmonton's Jordan Eberle.